ExErCiSe: A Bad Plot...

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original posting: Wed, 05 Sep 2001 20:36:00 -0400

A bad plot is like having an umbrella jammed down your throat, and opened there, and pulled out open, so that the broken ribs lacerate your lungs, and being beaten over the head with the handle.

(with recognition for Don Marquis, for this fine simile for unpleasantness)

A bad plot... I'm sure you've read a book (or even two!) that made you want to throw it across the room, or at least made you wonder what kind of @#$@W% let that be published?

So what do you compare a bad plot to?

Or even, what are the hallmarks of a bad plot?

EXERCISE: A Daily Simile?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original posting: Mon, 27 Aug 2001 20:49:00 -0400

Here we go...

Writing is like sewing empty garments.

Go ahead, explore that relationship, expand that metaphor, ssssssssssssstretch those words!

EXERCISE: a dose of advice, a brace of questions

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original posting: Sun, 25 Nov 2001 01:41:43 -0500

(how many are in a brace, anyway?)

a ponse for the the morn, a ponder for the afternoon, or even a weighty thought or two for the evening, a dream for the nighttime?

Alright, let's consider this.

Suppose the ever-changing tides of chance bring up an encounter with the beginner, and the beginner looks up at you (in your grizzled writing togs, with the feather of achievement somehow tucked into your bonnet), and asks for advice.

What do you tell them?  What is the one-sentence (okay, a paragraph, three points, a short poem, your choice!) piece of advice that you would offer someone interested in writing?

Now, let's assume that something happens, and you get a chance to ask a question of... how about a writer with a string of accomplishments to their name? 

What question do you ask?  What is the burning issue that you would dearly like to discuss with a senior writer?

And just for fun, let's also consider an opportunity to ask your reader a question.  Yes, the audience of your work has been magically transformed into an individual, sitting in their lazyboy, waiting for your question.

What would you like to ask your reader?

So, three pieces:

1. Your advice to a starting writer (feel free to give them a leading question to ask, if you like).
2. Your question to another writer
3. Your question to your readers

Go ahead, the floor is yours...